• Donald Trump’s endorsement helped push J.D. Vance and Eric Schmitt into the Senate. Now they’re nearly ready to return the favor.
• Vance has told allies over the last few months that he anticipates endorsing Trump in the Republican primary, according to two people briefed on the Ohio Republican’s plans. And Schmitt, whom Trump technically endorsed when he backed “Eric” in the Missouri GOP primary last year, said on Monday that he’s supporting the former president.
• The freshman duo’s moves come after just two other upper-chamber Republicans, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), have backed Trump since the 2022 midterms.
• Tuberville described the slow buildup of Trump’s effort as intentional. He said he spoke to Trump recently, and that the former president told him “we’re gonna do small ones early and kind of build our momentum, build our teams in each state.”

Tagged: 2024 Election